HOUSTON, TX – The USDA has issued a federal citation against the University of Houston (UH) for the negligent death of an infant primate following a complaint filed by National Research Watchdog Group, SAEN (Stop Animal Exploitation NOW!).

On February 4, 2014, SAEN filed an Official Complaint with the USDA relevant to the strangulation death of a 2 week old infant primate, named Kwint, at the University of Houston. The death was revealed in a report filed by the University of Houston with the National Institutes of Health's Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, which was obtained by SAEN through FOIA.

The USDA inspected UH on 2/10/14 and issued a citation against the lab under Section 2.38 Animal Handling, one of the code sections used by SAEN to file the complaint.

This latest citation follows a 11/18/2013 citation against the University of Houston for a rabbit death which was also the subject of a SAEN complaint.

"The University of Houston should face the maximum penalty for these two animal deaths," said Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., Executive Director, SAEN. "Imagine allowing a 2-week-old infant to die of strangulation. It is a pity that the only penalty the University will see is a fine."

The USDA report and SAEN's Official Complaints are available upon request from SAEN.